Asthma Keeping our Student’s Safe

Content What Asthma Is and Isn’t What Happens Asthma Treatment Management Strategies Role of the School Nurse

Asthma Is Not Infectious Contagious

ASTHMA Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Wikipedia

Common Asthma Triggers Exercise Cold Air Smoke/pollution Allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, cockroaches, molds, and pollen Colds, viruses, and various respiratory infections Medicines/chemicals Coughing, yelling, and laughing Acute stress

Asthmatic Response to Triggers BRONCHOSPASM –Windpipe muscles tighten INFLAMMATION –Windpipe lining swells –Mucus forms in the windpipe

Asthma Onset Symptoms Restlessness Irritability Cough Wheezing Shortness of Breath Tightness in the Chest

Asthma Treatment BRONCHODILATORS –Quick Relief or “rescue” medication –Ventolin –Proventil –Maxair –Albuterol –Taken 15 or 20 minutes ahead of time, these medications can prevent symptoms triggered by exercise or exposure to cold

ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES/STERIODS Reduce swelling and mucous production in the airways Advair Azmacort Flovent Pulmicort

SPACERS FOR INHALER USE

DON’T SHARE INHALERS

Asthma Management Know the “triggers” that initiate an episode Avoid known “triggers” Use of peak flow meter to monitor status Recognize the symptoms of an episode onset Have medications immediately available Allow adequate time for recovery

EXERCISE – ONE OF THE MOST COMMON TRIGGERS ANYONE who has asthma has the potential for exercise induced asthma (EIA) EIA symptoms are likely to be intense for 5 to 10 minutes and will usually resolve in minutes ANY recess, physical education class, or extra-curricular sport activity has EIA potential

Contributing Factors Air Temperature and Humidity Wind, Dust, and Pollen Counts Air Pollution Health Status January 11 th 2010 Air Quality Index for Salt Lake City 142 San Francisco 67 Las Vegas 23

Exercise Management Know students at risk for exercise induced asthma Promote student responsibility for self-care Encourage premedication as appropriate Encourage warm up/cool down exercises

Exercise Management Be alert for symptom onset Have asthma management and emergency plans Report any respiratory concerns

Staff Cooperation Everyone’s cooperation is essential Physical education teachers, coaches, and playground supervisors have a special responsibility Encourage student responsibility for self and others Be prepared for emergencies –Know the students –Know yourself –Know CPR

Episode Management Never leave a child alone !!! Call for help Help student use his/her medication Assist in tripod position to maximize respiratory function Provide a calm, reassuring atmosphere –Tripod position: refer to picture.

Role of the School Nurse Provide “Health Care Plans” for those students that have asthma Provide asthma education programs for teachers and students Audit medication administration procedures

Medication Administration Parent’s need to sign a form authorizing staff to administer medication –“Authorization of School Personnel to Administer Medication” –Staff administering medications need to track medication use on a “Daily Medication Tracking Form” If the child is responsible they can carry their inhaler. Parent’s need to sign an authorization form for the student to carry medication. “Self Medication Self-Administration Form” Do NOT accept medication if it is not labeled with a Rx label from the pharmacy. This includes over-the-counter medications. Medication is stored in a locked cabinet or container

THE END Your School Nurse Suzanne Tanner RN, RDH 101 East 200 North Heber City, Utah ext cell

References Reilly, D. (2000). Managing Asthma Triggers Training Manual. National Association of School Nurses. Utah Department of Health (November 2010). Asthma and Air Pollution: Associations Between Asthma Emergency Department Visits, PM 2.5 Levels, and Temperature Inversions in Utah.

For more information visit these WEB SITES y/pm25.html - information on recess guidelines. y/pm25.html